Marcos Ambrose’s fourth season at Richard Petty Motorsports will see the addition of a new sponsor, the team has confirmed.
The Twisted Tea Brewing Company will be an associate sponsor of the Australian’s #9 Ford Fusion throughout the season, with a full Twisted livery to be used for the September race at Dover.
Stanley Black and Decker, whose family includes the Dewalt and Mac Tools brands, is expected to continue backing Ambrose’s entry for the bulk of the year.
Next year’s Sprint Cup campaign will mark Ambrose’s ninth year in the United States, and comes despite a tough 2013 season.
The Australian sits 21st in the points standings with three races remaining, recording six top 10 finishes without once seeing the top five.
By contrast, the previous two seasons had yielded a combined total of eight top fives and 18 top 10s.
RPM, which is also set to retain Aric Almirola in its #43 entry next year, is this weekend celebrating its 500th Sprint Cup race start since being formed in 2009.
The team has won four races, two of those coming with Marcos Ambrose at Watkins Glen.
“This team has come a long way since it started and even in the three years I have been here,” said Ambrose of the milestone.
“I came here and we quickly had to get over some adversity, but we developed a strong base with Richard Petty, Andrew Murstein, Doug Bergeron and our other investors and partners.
“We developed a base and were able to capitalise by winning at Watkins Glen for consecutive two years.
“We also put ourselves into a position to make the Chase for the past two years.
“This year wasn’t what we hoped for on the track, but off the track, we’re stronger than ever.
“We look at our partnerships with Stanley, Dewalt and Mac Tools, and they have been with Richard Petty Motorsports since 2009.
“They have been with me for every race that I’ve raced here. You can’t say that about many companies in this sport. It just doesn’t happen, and we’re very fortunate to have that relationship.
“I’m looking forward to being with Richard Petty Motorsports and the No. 9 team for many more races to come.
“Hopefully, we’re just starting on our road to much more success.”
Following its announcement of the Twisted Tea deal, RPM posted a note to its social media channels clarifying why the sponsor will appear on its #9 entry and not the flagship #43 under which Richard Petty himself used to race.
“To honor a wish from Richard’s mother, alcohol will never be promoted on the No. 43,” read the note in part.
“However, Richard Petty Motorsports is not opposed to alcohol partners on its other machines and drivers.”
Petty was not present at the sponsor launch on Tuesday.
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